Predictions for the 32nd Genie Awards

Now that we’ve gotten past the formality of those “other awards” it’s time to get down to business on some meaningful trophies.

Canada has never cranked out as many films at such a high level as it has over the past few years, and the ability of the most successful of those titles ““ films like Incendies , Polyetechnique and Away from Her ““ to permeate into the National popular consciousness shows that the public is starting to get how great our National Cinema has become.

Best Director: The race here is similar to Best Picture, with the exception of Steven Silver stepping in for The Bang Bang Club ahead of Ken Scott’s Starbuck . The Genies haven’t been afraid to split its Director and Picture prizes in the past and I believe that’s what we’re in for this year. While I called Lazhar to edge for the big prize, I think Jean-Marc Vallee is the kind of talent that the Genies won’t have the heart to completely shut out. Yes, he’s won this prize before (for 2006’s C.R.A.Z.Y. ), but I believe he takes a second this year to allow the Genies to effectively dub two top films.

Best Actor: This one should be academic. Monsieur Lazhar is carried by a subtle and nuanced turn on behalf of Mohamed Fellag. So much of the tenderness and emotion that’s made people love the film comes from the personage of Fellag himself, so I’d really be surprised if anyone else takes home the statue. It must be noted, however, that few people were as hilarious as Starbuck ‘s Patrick Huard this year and that Canada’s English cinema would be a lot more popular if more performances like Scott Speedman’s Edwin Boyd was seen by more audiences.

Best Supporting Actor: I’m sure the five nominees in this category are just thankful that Christopher Plummer chose an American film for his career-best performance. This is one of the few categories that is wide open to me. I feel like the most resonant performances here come from some of the film’s that may not emerge from the night as big winners. My gut says the levity and support of Antoine Bertrand in Starbuck emerges victorious. However, it also would not surprise me to see the Award go to Edwin Boyd ‘s Kevin Durand for his one-legged runaway.

Screenplay: I hate to boil down these awards so simply, but with the year’s two best films competing in separate categories, it seems obvious to me that they’ll each come away with a statue. I’d be stunned if anyone other than Jean-Marc Vallee wins best original screenplay (despite my clear affection for Ken Scott’s Starbuck ) or if anyone tops Philippe Falardeau’s Monsieur Lazhar for best adapted.

Watch the 32nd Annual Genie Awards tonight at 8:00 pm on CBC, or stream it live from the CBC website.

About The Author

Shane McNeil is a film, music and sports writer who just can't resist a great playlist. His work over the years has appeared on TSN.ca, Cineplex.com, Playback Magazine and The Toronto Film Scene among other publications.
Twitter: @come_back_shane